NEARLY two years on from their critically acclaimed debut album Everything Is..., Nine Black Alps are back with a new album, single and tour, culminating with a date at Reading’s Fez Club.

After a manic couple of years touring their excellent debut, Sam Forrest and his band packed their bags and said goodbye to another cold, wet winter in Manchester and retreated to the warm sanctuary of a Los Angeles studio.

With a hatful of catchy guitar riffs and a working title that no one could agree on, the band began to work on recording under the stewardship of David Sardy.

Wealthier for the experience, Nine Black Alps have emerged from the studio with a tantalising batch of new songs.

They have raised the bar of expectations with a record that surely signifies their coming of age.

Burn Faster, which is due for release on Monday, July 23, is the first track to be taken from the upcoming album.

It proves that the Manchester quartet are still a real force to be reckoned with.

Proof, if it were needed, comes in the form of a 16-date tour, the 16th and final date on Sunday, July 29 being the trip to Reading.

Tickets, priced £8, are available from the venue or via a 24-hour credit card hotline on 0871 220 0260.